Means for varying the phase relationship of the cylinders of a printing press



Dec. 9, 1958 H. w. HUFFMAN 2,863,387

MEANS FOR VARYING THE PHASE RELATIONSHIP OF THE CYLINDERS OF A PRINTINGPRESS Filed March 26, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 1 as B 6 es 250 s is IINVENTOR. HAROLD W. HUFFMAN ATTORNE Dec. 9, 1958 THE PHASE RELATIONSHIERS OF A PRINTING PRESS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2:

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Dec. 9, 1958 H. w. HUFFMAN 2,863,387

- MEANS FOR VARYING THE PHASE RELATIONSHIP OF THE CYLINDERS OF APRINTING PRESS Filed March 26, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. HAROLD W.HUFFMAN BY (WW- AT ORN United States Patent MEANS FOR VARYING THE PHASERELATION- SHIP OF THE CYLINDERS OF A PRINTING PRESS Application March26, 1954, Serial No. 418,912

12 Claims. (Cl. 101-248) This invention relates to the method of andmeans for varying the phase relationship of the cylinders of a printingpress.

An object of the invention is to teach a method of and to disclosesimple yet highly effective means for selectively changing the phaserelationship of the individual cylinders of a group of cylinders drivenby a common shaft.

Another object of the invention is to teach a method of changing thephase relationship of the cylinders of a press relative to a web ofendless material being acted upon by the cylinders.

Still another object of the invention is to provide simple yet highlyeffective means for permitting an operator of a press having a pluralityof cylinder assemblies to independently alter the phase relationship ofthe cylinders which collectively comprise an assembly relative to a webof material passing through the various cylinder assem blies.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for effectinglimited endwise axial movement of the drive shaft of a special gear boxwhich may be associated with the conventional cylinder-driving mechanismof a printing press for thereby enabling the phase relationship of thecylinders to be altered relative to each other and relative to acontinuous web'passing over the cylinders while the cylinders are beingsimultaneously driven from a common shaft.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device having thehereinabove described characteristics and which includes means forenabling an operator to control the phase relationship of the drivingmechanism for the individual cylinder assemblies of a printing pressfrom that side of a press which is opposite from the side on which thecylinder driving means is located.

These and other objects are attained by the mean's described in thespecification and drawings, in which:

I Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the method of and one meansfor varying the phase relationship of the cylinders of a printing press,embodying the teachings of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of the method which the methodof the present invention replaces.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1, illustrating thestructural details of means for controlling the phase relationship ofthe cylinders of a printing press.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a partial elevation'al view of the left end of Fig. 3.

With particular reference to Fig. 2, the numerals 10, 12, 14 and 16denote generally the lower or driven cylinders over which an endless web18 is caused to pass in cident to being printed, numbered, punched,perforated, etc. A second cylinder, denoted by the numerals 101, 121,141 and 161 is associated above and along with cylinders 10, 12, 14 and16 for providing a plurality of cylintier assemblies, wherein aparticular or single operation is Patented Dec. 9, 1958 ice performedupon web 18 as it passes between the cylinders of each assembly.

The numerals 2), 22 and 24 denote generally so-called compensator rolls,the purpose of which is to permit axial, endwise alignment or correctionof the web relative to the circumference of the cylinders over which theweb is next passed for effecting the necessary and desired alignment ofthe web with and relative to the various cylinder assemblies. Movementof the compensator rolls 20, 22 and 24 is utilized to shorten orlengthen the web between adjacent cylinder assemblies, it being notedthat web-correction by means of compensator roll 20 renders it necessaryto sequentially adjust the other compensator rolls 22 and 24, saidadjusting process being known, in the printing trade, as backcorrection. In passing it will be noted that if the correction berequired at cylinder 14, compensator roll 22 would be adjusted requiringthe subsequent adjustment of compensator roll 24, which is behind roll22; however adjustment of compensator roll 22 would not requireadjustment of compensator roll 20 since it is in advance of compensatorroll 22.

As a practical matter considerable time is spent in modern printingestablishments in obtaining the desired alignment between a web and theimpressions of the various printing cylinders and the phase relationshipof various punching cylinders, etc., such time accounting for a veryconsiderable down-time of any given press.

The method and apparatus of the subject invention are directed to asimple yet highly eifective means for enabling an operator to vary thephase relationship of the various cylinder assemblies relative to theweb being operated on by the said cylinder assemblies and while thepress is in full operation, thereby enabling an operator to quicklycontrol the phase relationship of each cylinder relative to the web, perse, and entirely independently of the other cylinders.

This is in sharp contrast to the system disclosed in Fig. 2, wherein theweb is adjusted relative to the various cylinder assemblies.

With particular reference now to Fig. 1, the numeral 30 denotesgenerally a conventional drive shaft for each of a plurality ofcylinders denoted generally by the letters A, B, C and D. An endless webE is acted upon by the said cylinders as it is moved to the right, bysuitable means not pertinent to the present invention. The letters A, B,C and D indicate the companion cylinders which with cylinders A, B, C,and D, respectively, comprise four cylinder assemblies. In passing itmay be noted that assemblies A--A and B-B are individually mounted onseparate, laterally spaced frames F and G, respectively, whereasassemblies C-C and D-D' are mounted to a common frame H wherein framesF, G and H are secured to and carried by a common base I. Suchdisclosure is exemplary rather than restrictive.

A plurality of gear boxes 40 are provided, one for each cylinderassembly whose phase relationship is to be controlled. A drive shaft 42is mounted in each of gear boxes 40 for rotational and limited endwiseaxial movement. The opposite ends 44 and 46 of each drive shaft 42project from opposite sides of the housing, said ends being preferablysplined for engagement with collars 48 and 50, it being noted thatcollar 48 may, if desired, be securely though releasably anchored tospline 44 by means of a set screw 52.

The original shaft 30 which heretofore has driven the various cylinderassemblies may be severed whereby to accommodate drive shafts 42 and ifdesired the end of shaft 30 may be provided with a spline 54 to bereceived within collar 48, to which it may be anchored by means of setscrew 56. Spline 46 may slidably engage complementary internal splinedportion of collar 50, the other end of which collar may be secured tosplined portion 3: 58 of what, in effect, is a continuation of shaft 30,being securely though releasably fastened to collar by means of a setscrew 60.

A worm gear 62 is secured to and carried by drive shaft 42 and indriving relationship with worm wheel 64 rotatably mounted on and carriedby shaft 66. Spur gear 68 is likewise rotatably mounted on andcarried byshaft 66, and is keyed to the worm wheel for positive rotationtherewith. Gears 68 are in driven relationship with cylinders A, B, Cand D, note Fig. 1.

It will be noted that rotation of shaft 30 will be imparted to driveshafts 42, thence to worm gears 62' for imparting rotary motion to spurgears 68 via worm wheels 64, it being further noted that rotation ofshaft 30 will result in the simultaneous rotation of each of thecylinders A, B, C and D.

The phase relationship of any of cylinders A, B and CD may be altered byimparting an endwise axial movement to drive shaft 42, it being noted,with reference to Fig. 4, that axial movement of shaft 42 to the leftwill result in axial shifting of worm gear 62 to the left for therebyrotating the worm wheel 64 in a clockwise direction. Conversely, axialendwise movement of shaft 42 to the right will cause worm gear 62 to be.shfited along an axial path to the right for thereby imparting acounterclockwise rotation to worm wheel 64.

Axial translation of drive shaft 42 may be conveniently accomplished bymeans of a hand crank 70, note Fig. 3, by which rotary motion may beimparted to shaft 72 to which a worm gear 74 is secured, said worm gearengaging worm wheel 76, which is rotated about screw 78, which issecured against rotation.

A nut 80, which is fixedly secured to and carried by gear 76 such as bymeans of a lock element 82, threadably engages the externally threadedscrew 78 whereby rotation of nut 80 will result in endwise axialmovement of screw 78, the free outer end of which is secured by bolt 84to downwardly projecting ear 86 of the wormdrive shaft supporting sleeve88.

Axial movement of sleeve 88 will be imparted. to shaft 42 and worm 62'by means of cap 90, which is securely though releasably anchored to thesleeve by means of bolts 92, said cap 90 providing an annular housingfor seal rings 94 and 96 and an abutment for one end of the outerraceway 98 of a bearing denoted generally by the numeral 100, the innerraceway 102 of which abuts against collar 104 formed integral with driveshaft 42.

The other end of sleeve 88 is provided with a bushing in which sealingrings 112 and 114 are mounted. The forward end of bushing 110 providesan abutment for one end of the outer raceway 116 of a bearing denotedgenerally by the numeral 118, the inner raceway 120 of which abutsagainst annular abutment 122 provided on drive shaft 42. The outer endof bushing 110 is engaged by a snap ring 124 which maintains bearing118, seals 112 and 114, and bushing 110 in desired relationship withrespect to sleeve 88 and shaft 42.

From the foregoing, it will be noted that axial movement of screw. 78will effect axial translation of. sleeve 88, which in turn will impartaxial movement to drive shaft 42 and worm 62 whereby worm wheel 64 willbe turned about its axis of rotation.

That end of screw 78 adjacent nut 80- may be provided with an enlargedabutment 79 which, if desired, may be securely fastened relative toscrew 78 by means ofbolt 81. Abutment 79 limits the axial travel of.drive shaft 42, it being noted that the left face of the abutment willengage end face 83 of nut 80 for thereby limiting axial travel of screw78 to the left. Axial travel of. screw 78 to the right will bedetermined by contact of abutment 79 with annular stop face 85 providedin cap 158.

In this manner I have provided simple yet highly effective means forlimiting the overall axial travel of screw 78, sleeve 88, drive shaft 42and those elements associated with said drive shaft. As illustrated in.Fig. 4, screw 4 78, shaft 42 and the other related items are in acentral position.

As best illustrated in Fig. 4, cap 90 may be provided with a recessedportion 91 dimensioned to loosely and slidably receive the adjacent endof collar 50 incident to axial translation of drive shaft 42 and sleeve88 to the left, incident to actuation of crank 70.

' Sealing rings 140, 142, 144 and 146 are provided between portions ofgear box or casing 40 and sleeve 88 for effecting a fluid-tight fit. Itwill likewise be noted that sealing rings 150 and 152 are providedbetween screw 78 and end plug 154 which is received within axial bore156 extending through the lower portion of the gear box.

An end plug 158 is secured by means of bolts 160 to the other end ofbore 156. It will be noted that the inner or adjacent ends of plugs 154and 158 provide seats for the outermost races of bearings 162 and 164,the inner races of each of said bearings abutting against opposite endsof worm Wheel 76, which is thereby mounted for rotary motion while beingfixed against axial movement.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention an oil sight gauge may beprovided for indicating the height of lubricant within chamber 172 ofthe gear casing, said gauge being secured to and carried by plug 171.

With particular reference now to Fig. 3, the numeral 200 denotes the endplate, standard or right framework of any particular cylinder assembly,whereas the numeral 202 denotes the other or opposite end plate,standard or left framework of the cylinder assembly, it being noted thatcylinders A, B,. C and D are suitably mounted whereby to span plates 200and 202. In Fig. 1 plates 200 are toward the reader, it being understoodthat plates 202 are disposed rearwardly of and in substantial alignmentwith the forward plates.

The housing, in Fig. 3, denoted generally by the numeral 204, is astandard or conventional housing in which the spur gear 68 is housed indriving relationship with a gear on the end of the driven shaft for aparticu lar cylinder, said housing being suitably fastened to standard200 such as by means of bolts 206, or the like.

Gear box housings 40 may be securely though releasably fastened tohousings 204 such as by means of bolts 208, and suitable sealing means210 may be provided for effecting a fluid-tight tit and for preventingthe accidental or unintentional passing of lubricant from the interiorof housing 40 over into housing 204.

With further reference to Fig. 3, it will be noted that shaft 72 extendsthrough a bearing sleeve 212 securely though releasably fastened to andinteriorly of housing 40 by means of set screw 214. Suitable oil rings216 and 218 are provided in bearing sleeve 212 and around shaft 72 forprecluding the passage of lubricant from the interior 172 of gear box 40along said shaft. Worm wheel 74 is securely fastened to the forward endof shaft 72 such as by means of a pin 75, whereby rotation of shaft 72will be imparted to gear 76.

Theother end of rod 72.to which handle 70 is mounted may be receivedwithin a cap member 220 secured to shaft 72 by means of .pin 222. Arm 71of crank 70 may besecurely though releasably fastened to cap 220 bymeans of set screw 224.

A dial 226 secured to and carried by cap 220 is adapted to co-operatewith an. indicator member 228 which, as best illustrated in Fig. 3, maybe threadably received within rear standard 202.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention suitable indicator meansare provided adjacent the hand crank assembly for enabling an operatorstanding on one side of the press to ascertain, at a glance, the amountby which the drive shafts 42 are axially displaced, if at all,

Y from the normal, central position of Fig. 4. As best illustrated inFig.1 3, such indicator means may comprise a member-.180 adapted toslidably extend througha bore provided in side frame 202. One end ofshaft 180,

is-anchored by means of a set screw 188 to an arm 186, which is providedwith an internally threaded bore 190 which engages externally threadedportion 192 of a sleeve 1 9 4 fixedly secured to shaft 72 such as bymeans of a pin 196.

From the foregoing it will be noted that as shaft 72 is rotated, arm 186will travel axially of and along sleeve 194 whereby indicator member 180will be shifted axially relative to bore 182. If the forward end 198 ofindicator 180 be adjusted whereby to be flush with outer face 201 ofmember 202 when drive shaft 42 and worm 62are in the exact center oftheir axial travel, shifting of the drive shaft axially, in onedirection, will result in causing end 198 of indicator member 180 toproject forwardly from and beyond face 201, whereas shifting of theshaft in the opposite direction will cause the forward end of the memberto be located interiorly of bore 182. i

If desired, suitable indicia may be applied to an echelon or dial 222whereby an operator may rotate shaft 72 a predetermined amount foreffecting a known and ascertainable phase shifting of a particularcylinder. As illustrated in Fig. 5, the dial has been calibrated inthousandths in terms of the outer or active circumference of cylindersA, B, C and D, thereby making it a simple matter for an operator toshift the phase relationship of the cylinders relative to web E.

With particular reference now to Fig. 1, the cylinders A and B may beconsidered color cylinders wherein each will apply a different color toweb E as it passes over the cylinders. Cylinders C and D may beconsidered punching cylinders. If it should occur that the color beingapplied by cylinder B is not in exact registry with the color applied bycylinder A, all an operator need do in order to properly align the colorbeing applied by cyl'inder B is to turn crank 70 of frame G for rotatingthe cylinder relative to the web as the web is being fed thereover. Itwill be notedithat such adjustment is made entirely independent of theweb and independently of the driving force being applied to thecylinders of housings F and H. It will likewise be noted that the phaseadjustment of the cylinders of any particular housing does notnecessitate back correction as in the old system illustrated in Fig. 2.

My system provides superior results using a fewer number of parts, sincethe compensator rolls 20, 22 and 24 and the expensive mounting andadjustment means associated therewith have been completely dispensedwith.

It should likewise be noted that the subject means may be easily appliedto an existing press, thereby greatly enhancing its utility.

In passing it should be noted that the axial translation of shafts 42may be automatically controlled, such as, by wayof example, cam means,in lieu of the manual means illustrated for permitting the rate ofrotation of the cylinders to be selectively altered throughout eachcomplete cycle while being driven from a uniformly rotating drive shaft30.

What is claimed is:

l. A drive for individually altering the phase relationship of aplurality of rotatable members driven by a common shaft comprising, incombination, a plurality of drive shafts, means mounting each of saidshafts for free rotational and limited endwise axial movement, meansslidably coupling said individual shafts in endwise axial alignment, aWorm gear in fixed, driven relationship with and carried by each of saidshafts for duplicating the rotational and endwise axial movements oftheir respective shafts, independently operable means for impartingendwise axial movement to each of said shafts, and worm wheels incontinuously driven relationship with the worm gears during rotationaland axial movement of said gears.

2. A drive for individually altering the phase relationship of aplurality of rotatable members driven by a common shaft comprising, incombination, a plurality of drive shafts, a housing for each of saidshafts, means secured to and carried by each housing for mounting adrive shaft for free rotational and limited endwise axial movementrelative to its respective housing and with opposite ends of the shaftprojecting from the housing, a worm gear in fixed, driven relationshipwith and carried by each of said drive shafts, means coupling adjacentends of the drive shafts in endwise axial alignment for relative endwiseaxial movement but fixed against relative rotary movement, meansassociated with each hous ing for imparting endwise axial movement. tothe drive shaft associated therewith, and a worm wheel carried by androtatably mounted in each housing and in driven relationship with theWorm gear of the drive shaft extending therethrough, said Worm wheelcontinuously engaging the worm gear during rotational and axial movementthereof.

3. A drive for individually altering the phase relationship of aplurality of rotatable members driven by a composite shaft comprising,in combination, a plurality of housings, one for each of the rotatablemembers whose phase relationship is to be altered, a drive shaft foreach housing, a sleeve secured to and carried by each housing, meansmounting each sleeve against relative rotary movement with, but forendwise axial movement relative to, its respective housing, meansrotatably mounting a drive shaft to each sleeve with opposite ends ofthe shaft r0- jecting beyond the housing in which the sleeve is mounted,a worm gear fixedly secured to and carried by each of said drive shafts,a worm wheel in each housing in continuous driven engagement with theworm gear of the drive shaft extending through said housing, meanssecured to and carried by each housing for imparting endwise axialmovement to its respective sleeve and the drive shaft associatedtherewith, and means for slidably coupling adjacent ends of the driveshafts of adjacent housings in endwise axial alignment for providing acomposite shaft all elements of which are fixed against relativerotational movement.

4. A drive for individually altering the phase relationship of aplurality of rotatable members driven by a composite shaft comprising,in combination, a plurality of housings, one for each of the rotatablemembers whose phase relationship is to be altered, a drive shaft foreach housing, a sleeve secured to and carried by each housing, meansmounting each sleeve against relative rotary movement with, but forendwise axial movement relative to, its respective housing, meansrotatably mounting a drive shaft to each sleeve with opposite ends ofthe shaft projecting beyond the housing in which the sleeve is mounted,a worm gear fixedly secured to and carried by each of said drive shafts,a worm wheel in each housing in con,

tinuous driven engagement with the worm gear of the drive shaftextending through said housing, an axially shiftable member securedtoand carried by each housing, means rigidly interconnecting said memberto a sleeve for translating its axial movement to endwise axial movement of the sleeve, means journaled to a housing for imparting endwiseaxial movement to said member, and means for slidably coupling adjacentends of the drive shafts of adjacent housing in endwise axial alignmentfor providing a composite shaft all elements of which are fixed againstrelative rotational movement.

5. A drive for individually altering the phase relationship of aplurality of rotatable members mounted between a pair of laterallyspaced end plates, and which are driven by a composite drive shaft, saiddrive comprising a plurality of housings, one for each of the rotatablemembers Whose phase relationship is to be altered, means for securingsaid housings to one row of the said end plates, a drive shaft for eachhousing, a sleeve secured to and carried by each housing, means mountingeach sleeve against relative rotary movement with, but for endwise axialmovement relative to, its respective housing, means totatably mounting adrive shaft to each sleeve with opposite ends of the shaft projectingbeyond the housing in which the sleeve is mounted, a worm gear fixedlysecured to and carried by each of said drive shafts, a worm wheel ineach housing in continuous driven engagement with the w rm gear of thedrive shaft extending through said housing, an axially shif-table membersecured to and carried by each housing, means rigidly interconnectingsaid member to a sleeve for translating its axial movement to endwiseaxial movement of the sleeve, means jour'n'aled to a housing forimparting endwise axial movement to said member, said means including ashaft spanning the end plates, means on that end of the shaft remotefrom its respective housing for actuating said axially shiftable member,and means for slidably coupling adjacent ends of the drive shafts ofadjacent housings in endwise alignment for providing a composite shaftall elements of which are fixed against relative rotational movement.

6. In combination with a rotary printing press of the type whichincludes a pair of laterally spaced standards, rotatable printingcylinders spanning the standards, of a drive shaft for said cylinders,means mounting the drive shaft to one of the standards for freerotational and limited endwise axial movement, means translating bothrotary and endwise axial movement of the drive shaft to rotary motion ofthe cylinders, and means operable from the other standard for impartingendwise axial movement to the drive shaft.

7. In combination with a rotary printing press of the type whichincludes a pair of laterally spaced standards, and rotatable printingcylinders spanning the standards, of a housing secured to and carried byone of the standards, a drive shaft for said cylinders, a sleeve, meanssecuring the sleeve to the housing for endwise axial movement therewith,means rotatably mounting the drive shaft to the sleeve, means forimparting axial movement to the sleeve and the drive shaft carriedthereby, means within the housing for translating both rotary andendwise axial movement of the drive shaft to rotary motion of thecylinders, and means operable from the other standard for impartingendwise axial movement to the sleeve.

8. The combination of claim 7 in which there is also provided anindicator in association with the second mentioned standard forindicating the position of the sleeve with reference to its overallendwise axial travel.

9. In combination with a rotary printing press of the type whichincludes a pair of laterally spaced standards, and rotatable printingcylinders spanning the standards, of cylinder phase shifting meanscomprising a housing secured to and carried by one of the standards, adrive shaft for said cylinders, an elongate sleeve, means securing thesleeve to the housing for endwise axial movement therewith, meansrotatably mounting the drive shaft to the sleeve, means for impartingaxial movement to the sleeve, means within the housing for translatingboth r0- tary and endwise axial movement of the drive shaft to rotarymotion of the cylinders, and means operable from the other standard forimparting endwise axial movement to the sleeve, said last mentionedmeans including a shaft spanning the standards and an indicatorassociated therewith for indicating the relative position of the sleevein terms of its overall axial travel.

10. In combination with a rotary printing press of the type whichincludes a pair of laterally spaced standards-,- and rotatable printingcylinders spanning the standards,

of cylinder phase shifting means comprising a housing secured to andcarried by one of the standards, a drive shaft for said cylinders, anelongate sleeve, means securing the sleeve to the housing for endwiseaxial movement therewith, means rotatably mounting the drive shaft tothe sleeve, means for imparting axial movement to the sleeve, said'meansincluding a member in spaced para-llelism with the axis of the elongatesleeve and axially shiftab'le relative to the housing, means operablefor imparting endwise axial movement to said member, meansinterconnecting said sleeve to said member whereby axial movement of themember imparts a corresponding axial movement to the sleeve, and meanswithin the housing for translating b'oth rotary and endwise axialmovement of the drive shaft to rotary motion of the cylinders.

11. The combination of claim 10 in which stop means are provided forlimiting the endwise axial travel of the member to which the sleeve isinterconnected.

12. In combination with a rotary printing press of the type whichincludes a pair of laterally spaced standards, and rotatable printingcylinders spanning the standards, of cylinder phase shifting meanscomprising a housing secured to and carried .by one of the standards, adrive shaft for said cylinders, an elongate sleeve, means se--' curingthe sleeve to the housing for endwise axial move-v ment therewith, meansrotatably mounting the drive shaft to the sleeve, means for impartingaxial movement to the References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 1,972,840 Graf Sept. 4, 1934 2,163,035 Grupe June 20,1939 2,183,045 Presby Dec. 12, 1939 2,345,411 Moeller Mar. 28, 19442,425,914 Blackley et a1 Aug. 19, 1947 2,563,117 Hurley Aug. 7, 1951

